Sash plug



R. K. ERCK March 18, 1969 SASH PLUG Filed April 14, 1967 am J MM/h y, mi M if wam/2 .//M M .M nv fw, W

United States Patent 3,432,883 SASH PLUG Richard K. Erck, 355 Banbury Road, Mundelein, Ill. 60060 Filed Apr. 14, 1967, Ser. No. 630,965 U.S. Cl. 16-197 Int. Cl. Ed 13/12 6 Claims ABSTRACT 0F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates in general to window frame construction and more particularly to a sash balance arrangement. Recent years have seen the development of new and improved sash balance arrangements, certain of which are particularly adaptable to window frames formed of light metal such as aluminum or the like. One such sash balance arrangement employs tension coil springs secured to the bottom of a window sash and to the top of a window frame. In a sash balance arrangement of this type, the coil springs are conventionally housed in spring cover housings and attached to the sash through the medium of a spring anchor device or the like.

This invention disclosed here is embodied in a new and improved spring connector device for a sash balance arrangement. The device is an improvement on the construction illustrated in the Erck Patent No. 3,077,631, issued Feb. 19, 1963, and assigned to the same assignee as the present invention. In fact, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a spring connector device in the form of a sash plug which replaces and is a marked improvement on all platform type spring anchors.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a sash or spring connector plug which readily, and without modication, seats properly on diiferent window sashes having spring housing grooves of relatively widely varying width, whereby a single size anchor device is useable on sashes that vary relatively widely in groove size.

Another object is to provide a sash plug which permits the sash to seat flush on the sill, thus eliminating any gap which might allow a draft. This anchor device also allows weatherstrip for the sill to be extended completely across the sash plow.

Yet another object is to provide a sash plug which eliminates metal against metal contact in the sash channel, thus assuring minimal noise.

Yet a further object is to provide a sash plug which seals the sash groove and prevents air inltration through the groove.

Still another object is to provide a sash plug which automatically seats propertly in a spring housing for frame shipment and, furthermore, is properly centered relative to the sash groove when the sash is seated in the window frame.

These and other objects of the invention are realized by providing a sash or spring connector comprising a tapered plastic plug, having a segmentally frusto-conical surface forming the major portion of its side and a flattened surface on the remaining portion of its side. A boss surrounded by a seat is formed on top of the plug. The plug rides flush against the window jam strip, as the window slides up and down, on its flattened surface, while the tapered body of the plug lits up into a sash groove snugly, regardless of relatively large variations in the width of the groove. The plug seals the sash groove, stopping air infiltration through the groove. The boss and seat on top of the plug provide means for seating it securely in the spring housing of the frame when the frame is shipped and, when the sash is seated on the frame and the plug forced up into the sash groove, the plug is automatically centered relative to the sash groove by virtue of its seated position in the spring housing. The tapered plug design allows the plug to be forced upwardly into a sash groove in the lower window of a double window set, for example, so that the sash plow will lay flush on the sill, eliminating any gap which might permit air to ow through, and also allowing for weatherstripping underneath the sill to extend completely across the sash plow. The plug, being fabricated of plastic, slides easily on its flattened surface against the jam strip, minimizing noise which might otherwise be produced by a metal anchoring device.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, taken with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings; in which:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of a side frame member in a double window frame showing sash plugs embodying features of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE, With parts broken away;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of a sash plug embodying features of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a front elevational view of a sash plug showing it positioned for seating in the spring housing of a window frame such as illustrated in FIGURE 1 FIGURE 5 is a side elevational View of the sash plug illustrated in FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 6 is a bottom plan view of the sash plug illustrated in FIGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES l and 2, one side frame member of a double Window and frame assembly is seen generally at 10. The side frame member 10 is part of a double channel side frame which supports an upper window 12 and a lower window 13 for sliding movement relative thereto and relative to each other. The side frame member 10, as well as its oppositely disposed counterpart, and the top and bottom frame members (not shown) of the frame are preferably formed of sheet aluminum in a wellknown manner.

The 'upper window 12 includes a conventional wood sash 15, while the lower window 13 includes Ia corresponding wood sash 17. The lower sash 17 is slidably mounted in the front channel 20 of the double channel side frame 10 in offset relationship with the upper sash 15. The -upper sash 15 is slidably mounted in the rear channel 21 of the frame 10.

The upper Window sash 15 is grooved, as at 22, along its vertically extending sides (only one of which is shown) to receive a generally tubular housing 23 mounted in the rear channel 21. The lower window 13 is correspondingly grooved, as at 22, to receive a generally tubular housing 23 mounted in the front channel 20. Since the tubular housings 23 are virtually identical in construction and conliguration, as are the channels 20 and 21, corresponding reference numerals are employed to identify like components in the front housings 23 and associated parts of the front and rear channels.

The front channel 20 comprises a pair of substantially parallel side walls 30, joined by a base panel 31 upon which the generally tubular housing 23 associated with the front channel 20 is mounted. The tubular housing 23 has outwardly extending flanges 32 which might be secured to the base channel 31 in any well-known manner, such as by light rivets or the like. The housing 23 associated with the front channel 20 extends from the upper end of the channel down only a portion of the length of the channel, as will be seen, to a point substantially adjacent the uppermost extremity of the lower window sash 17 and the lowermost extremity of the upper window sash 15. This arrangement is to permit the lower window 17 full travel from the bottom of the side frame member to the top thereof.

Referring specically to FIGURE l, the housing 23 'associated with the front channel 20 encloses a tension coil spring 35. The coil spring 35 preferably has a closed loop 36 formed at its upper end. The loop 36 is hooked over the upper edge of the base panel 31 of the front channel 20. The lower end of the coil spring 35 is, in turn, formed into a partially closed loop 37 which hooks onto a sash or spring connector plug 40 which the Window sash 17 is seated for sliding travel in the channel 20.

Turning to FIGURES 3-6, each sash or spring connector plug 40 comprises a plug -45 molded of DuPont Delrin or a like plastic material. The plug 45 has a generally inwardly tapered side wall from bottom to top. More precisely, the plug has a segmentally truste-conical Wall portion 47 which extends around three sides of the plug and a planar wall portion 49 on the fourth side. Actually, the wall portion 47 is differentially tapered. An upper section 47a has less taper than a lower section 47b.

Molded integrally with the plug 45 is an attachment loop 53. The molded nylon loop 53 extends above the plug 45 in the manner best illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5. A mold cavity 54 is formed upwardly into the bottom of the plug in the conventional molding operation.

It is the loop 53 to which the lower, partially closed loop 37 of the coil spring 35 is attached, as illustrated in FIGURE l. When the side frame members 10 are being shipped, before the assembly of the frame and mounting of the sashes and 17, the coil spring 35 is effective to draw the plug 45 tightly up against the U-shaped lower end 65 of the spring housing 23 (see FIGURE 4).

To assure that the plug 45 is immobilized for shipment, a boss 67 is formed on its upper surface. The boss 67 is roughly circular in shape, except for a slight at coplanar with the slug wall portion 49. The diameter of the circular portion of the boss 67 is substantially equal to that of the housing 23 and a seat 69 encircles the boss 67.

When the spring 35 is permitted to draw the plug tightly up against the lower end 65 of the housing 23, as when the side frame members 10 are separately assembled for shipment, the boss 67 ts snugly within the lower end 65. The lower end 65 seats against the seat 69 surrounding the boss 67, in which position the planar side wall portion 49 of the plug 45 lies flush against the base 31 of the channel 20. The plug 45 is thus solidly and securely seated for shipment and, in addition, is perfectly iixed against side or rotating movement for ultimate seating of the sash 17.

When the sash 17 is seated in the side frame member 10, in assembly of the window frame, its groove 22 is nested over the spring housing 23 with the lower edge or plow 70 of the sash above the lower end 65 of the spring housing. The sash 17 is then slid downwardly until the lower end 75 of the groove 22 engages the segmentally conical wall portion 47 of the plug 45 somewhere between its upper and lower extremities. It has been found in practice that the groove 22 might vary uo to an eighth of an inch or more and the plug will still Wedge into the lower end of the groove because of its segmental frusto-conical shape.

When the sash 17 seats on the plug 45 as it is slid on its groove 22 down the housing 23, the plug is perfectly centered in the groove 22. This is due, of course, to the fact that the boss 67 has automatically positioned the plug on the housing 23 for centered receipt in the groove 22.

In the front sash 17, the plug 45 is forced upwardly into the lower end 0f the groove 22 until its lower surface 59 lies entirely in the groove. Because of its segmentally frusto-conical configuration, however, once the plug 45 is `mechanically forced entirely upward in the groove 22, it will lremain firmly anchored there. The increased taper in the lower section 47b of the wall portion 47 enhances the holding power of the plug 45.

With the plug 45 seated entirely inside the groove 22 in the lower sash 17, the sash plow 70 of the lower sash 17 will lie ush against the window sill (not shown). As a result, there is no possibility of a gap being created between the sash 1,7 and the sill to permit the influx of air between the window and frame. At the same time, because the plug 4S is wedged tightly up entirely within the groove 22, a standard piece of weatherstripping will lie flat across the sash plow 70.

As the window sash 17 is drawn up and down in its frame channel 20, the planar wall portion 49 of the plug 45 slides substantially flush against the base 31 on the channel. Because yof the plastic material characteristics, however, this sliding action produces little, if any, Iaudible sound. Accordingly, silent window operation is afforded.

The sash or spring connector plug 40 has thus far been described solely insofar as its use with lower sash 17. However, its use and advantages are equally advantageous with the upper sash 15. In the case of the upper sash 15, however, it is not necessary to wedge the plug 45 entirely up in the groove 22, as will be noted in FIGURE 1, since the upper sash does not engage the sill (not shown).

While the embodiment described herein is at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A sash plug adapted to be connected to resilient means and secured to a window sash to support the sash for travel in the channels of a window frame, wherein an elognated housing in a window channel houses the resilient means and a groove in the window sash nests over the housing, comprising: body means, attachment means for connecting said body means to the resilient means, said body means having a frusto-conical side wall portion, said side wall portion adapted to wedge into said groove in the sash to effectively support the sash regardless` of variations in the width -of the groove, said body means has a side wall portion which is substantially planar, side wall portion adapted to fit complementarily lagainst a flat Ibase of the channel in the Window frame.

2. The sash plug of claim 1 further characterized in that said body means has orientation means formed in its upper surface, said orientation means adapted to seat in the lower end `of the housing to 4align said body means in predetermined relationship with the sash groove before the sash is initially seated on the body means to assure proper seating of the sash thereon.

3. The sash plug of claim 2 further characterized in that said orientation means includes 'a boss formed on said upper surface of the body means, and a seat formed around said boss for tting snugly in the lower end of the housing to center the body means relative thereto.

4. The sash plug of claim 1 further characterized in that said body means in fabricated of a relatively hard plastic material.

5. The sash plug of claim 1 further characterized in that said body means is fabricated of a relatively hard plastic material and has a side wall portion which is substantially planar, said planar side wall portion adapted to tit complementarily against a hat base of the channel in the window frame, said body means further having orien tation means formed in its upper surface, said orientation means -adapted to seat in the lower end of the housing to align said body means in predetermined relationship with the sash groove before the sash is initially seated on` the body means whereby proper seating of the sash is assured.

6. The sash plug of claim 1 further characterized in that said frusto-conical wall portion is differentially tapered to are at a greater angle near the bottom of the plug.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kreuscher 16-197 Hettinger 16-197 Lundgren 16-197 XR Koebel 16-197 Erck 16-197 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

J. L. KOHNEN, Assistant Examiner. 

